Today in Africa — October 24, 2025: UN Says Thousands of Children at Risk of Famine Death in Sudan, Guinea’s $100K Election Fee Sparks Outrage, Young Ivorians Want Jobs and Peace After Tomorrow’s Election

Every day, OkayAfrica shares a roundup of news we’re following but haven’t published as full articles. These short updates cover what’s happening on the continent — in culture, politics, and beyond. For more on stories like these, be sure to check out our News page, with stories from across the regions.

UN Warns of Imminent Child Deaths as Famine Devastates Sudan’s El Fasher

Four United Nations agencies have sounded the alarm over soaring malnutrition rates in Sudan’s El Fasher, warning that thousands of children are at imminent risk of death as food and healthcare supplies run out. The city, now under siege for over a year, remains the Sudanese army’s last stronghold in Darfur amid its war with the Rapid Support Forces. More than 250,000 civilians — half of them children — are trapped without aid or functioning health facilities, according to UNICEF, the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration, and the UN High Commission for Refugees.

The agencies said famine conditions confirmed last year have worsened, with hunger now described as “catastrophic” across much of Sudan. Over 30 million people, including nearly 15 million children, urgently need humanitarian assistance, yet only a quarter of the UN’s $4.2 billion 2025 aid appeal has been funded. “Health facilities have collapsed, and thousands of children suffering from severe acute malnutrition are now without treatment,” the agencies said.

Guinea’s $100,000 Election Fee Sparks Outrage Ahead of December Vote

Guineans have expressed outrage after the country’s electoral commission set the presidential candidacy deposit at 875 million Guinean francs ($100,000) for December’s election, which is expected to end military rule. The amount, one of the highest in West Africa, has drawn sharp criticism from political analysts and candidates, who say it restricts competition to the wealthy and entrenched elites. While the authorities argue the high fee will ensure “credible candidates,” critics like presidential hopeful Faya Millimono call it “madness,” noting the cost has skyrocketed from 50 million Guinean francs (about $5,800) in 2005.

Under the new constitution adopted after the 2021 coup, junta leader Colonel Mamady Doumbouya is eligible to run, though he has not yet confirmed his candidacy. Candidates who secure more than 5% of votes will have their deposits refunded, while campaign spending is capped at 40 billion Guinean francs ($4.6 million). So far, 50 party candidates and 16 independents have been approved, though the main opposition parties — led by exiled former leaders Alpha Condé and Cellou Dalein Diallo — have yet to register.

Young Ivorians Weigh Stability Against Change as Ouattara Seeks Fourth Term

As Côte d’Ivoire heads to the polls tomorrow, Saturday, October 25, President Alassane Ouattara, 83, one of the continent’s oldest presidents, is seeking a fourth term in office under a constitution he amended in 2016 to remove term limits. The longtime leader is widely expected to win, though frustration runs deep among young Ivorians who say that despite strong economic growth, opportunities remain scarce. Many supporters of opposition candidate Jean-Louis Billon, a former trade minister, see him as a symbol of change and a chance to tackle youth unemployment, which remains one of the country’s biggest challenges.

About 75% of Ivorians are under 35, and while many credit Ouattara for stability and infrastructure development, others say political exclusion and repression have eroded faith in democracy. With key opposition figures like Laurent Gbagbo and Tidjane Thiam barred from running, protests have been banned, and tensions are rising in Abidjan and beyond. Voters say they want peace above all — memories of the 2010–2011 civil war still haunt many — but fear that politics continues to divide the nation more than it unites it.

Many young people say they feel shut out of the political process. “African politics make things worse because of our leaders,” 21-year-old student Flavio Cunha told RFI. “The politics that they're applying doesn't actually suit us. It doesn’t make us feel secure about our future.” He recalled seeing “a lot of dead bodies on the streets” as a child during the last civil war, adding, “We just need peace, that’s it.” Others echoed his disillusionment: “I don’t want to be a taxi driver here in Abidjan, away from my family,” one man said. “I hope we can have a president who creates good jobs for young people like us.” Another voter lamented, “Thiam and Gbagbo should have been able to run. It’s a shame that a president can change the constitution to prolong his mandate and ban opposition protests.”  

Ghana Mourns Former First Lady and Women’s Rights Advocate Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings

Ghana’s former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman-Rawlings, has passed away at the age of 75 after a short illness, officials confirmed yesterday, Thursday, October 23. The longtime women’s rights advocate and founder of the 31st December Women’s Movement served as First Lady from 1979 to 2001, across both the military and civilian governments of her late husband, former President Jerry John Rawlings. Known for championing gender equality and social development, she helped shape Ghana’s inheritance law and the inclusion of women’s rights in the 1992 constitution. Parliament has adjourned in her honor as the country prepares for national mourning.

Cameroon Opposition Leader says his “Victory is Undeniable”

Opposition leader Issa Tchiroma Bakary says he would only agree with the officially declared results of Cameroon’s October 12 presidential election “provided the Constitutional Council announces the results that come from the ballot box, not ballot stuffing.” Tchiroma has defiantly claimed to be the election winner, despite preliminary results giving the win to four-plus-decade incumbent Paul Biya. He also turned down a reported offer to be Biya’s Prime Minister.

“There is no doubt, no shadow of doubt whatsoever. My victory is undeniable,” he told the BBC earlier today, Friday, October 24, stating that the results backing his claims of winning are based on results from polling stations collated by his team. Results were initially meant to be announced yesterday, Thursday, October 23, but are now scheduled to be announced on Monday, October 27. Tensions are high in the country, with many alleging rigging and electoral fraud. There have been protests, and internet access has been disrupted in several major cities.

Ghana Police Rescue 57 Nigerians From Cybercrime and Trafficking Ring

Ghanaian police have rescued 57 Nigerians, aged 18 to 26, from a human trafficking and cybercrime operation in Accra and arrested five suspects believed to be behind the scheme. The victims were lured to Ghana with false job offers and then forced to carry out online romance scams, according to Ghana’s Criminal Investigations Department. Officers recovered 77 laptops, 38 phones, and other internet devices during the raid. Authorities say the victims are receiving care while investigations continue. The case comes amid a rise in cross-border cybercrime and trafficking in West Africa, with Ghana reporting dozens of prosecutions over the past year.

Belgium Backs Morocco’s Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara

Belgium has joined a growing list of Western nations supporting Morocco’s autonomy plan as the preferred solution to the decades-long Western Sahara conflict. In a joint declaration signed yesterday, Thursday, October 23, in Brussels, Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot called Morocco’s proposal “the most adequate, serious, credible and realistic basis” for resolving the dispute. The plan, which grants limited self-rule under Moroccan sovereignty, is already backed by the U.S., France, the U.K., Spain, and Germany. The Algeria-backed Polisario Front continues to demand full independence, while the U.N. maintains its push for a negotiated political settlement.

M23 Rebel Group Denies Stealing Gold in South Kivu

M23 has pushed back on allegations of stealing at least 500 kilograms (1,102 lbs) of bullion from a gold concession operated by Twangiza Mining, a Chinese-owned company based in DR Congo. M23 coordinator Corneille Nangaa denied the accusations, saying the mine was run by artisanal miners and not an industrial operator. The concession is in South Kivu province, in the Eastern region, where M23 launched an offensive and has been cementing its place as the de facto authority, including recent measures like issuing its own ‘AFC-M23’ passports. Twangiza puts the value of the allegedly stolen gold at over $70 million.

New Chairman Inaugurated for Nigeria’s Electoral Commission

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has inaugurated Joash Ojo Amupitan as the new chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). A long-time law lecturer and a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Amupitan was nominated by Tinubu earlier this month, and his nomination was ratified by the Nigerian legislature, as expected. The new INEC chairman is considered an apolitical choice; however, he’s taking the helm of the commission at a time when public trust is low. Amupitan faces the challenging task of ensuring INEC is on the right track ahead of several state elections in 2026 and the 2027 general elections.